The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-12-29

Grace Church appropriately celebra
ted Christmas. The church was beau
tifully decorated by evergreen festoon
ing and numerous banners of varieG
and beautiful designs.
On Sunday morning good congre
CATION assembled to engage in the
religious exercises of the church ser.
vice. The Rector preached from Ga
J briefs announcement to the shepherds
near Bethlehem of the Divine and
human babe they might find by GER
tain signs, in a certain place. The
theme of the sermon was 1.-THE Influ
ences of Christ's Birth, Teachings and
Principles, upon the Civilizations OF
the Werld"
The Holy Communion was admin.
istered at the close of the service.
On Monday evening the Sunday
School Christmas service was held
consisting chiefly of Christmas carols
of sweet music, which were excellent
ly sung; brief responsive readings,
and short address by Mr. Lucas.
The childreu's eyes looked with
great eagerness upon the Christmas
tree, which of itself was a pleasing
sight. The tree was decorated with
various devices. and upon it was a
present for every scholar. To each
present was also added bag of candy
and popcorn.
By request, family presents were not
placed on the tree, and this rule was
only departed from in one or two in
stances.
membered by the ladies with a set of
solid silver teaspoons, in consideration
of his great promptness and regularity
as a member of the choir.
The officers of the s. S. School were
| also remembered by suitable presents.
To many is due great praise for the
time and labor bestowed upon the
Christmas preparations; and surely
all must be delighted with the results.
No elaborate preparation was made
for the celebration of Christmas at
the Congregational church. An ap-
propriate anthem was sung by the
choir. The morning discourse by the
Pastor was based upon Isaiah 9: 6.
"His name shall be called wonderful" ;"
Space prevents a full synopsis of the
logical deductions and inferential
proofs that the Bible narrative of the
birth and mission of Christ is entitled
to full and uuquestioned acceptance.
The following brief outline indicates
the method and scope of thought en-
braced in the discourse:
In this, as in most cases in the Bible,
the name stands for the character.
Following this thought into some
detail, we observe:
l. This prophecy was fulfilled In
His miraculous birth. He started with
the highest possible claims, but lived
up to them.
2 In His personal character. He
was never rash. yet never cripging.
No one has found any flaw in His
ehsracter.
8. In His teachings. No man has
ever been able to improve on anything
He undertook to teach.
t. In his works or influence upon
the world.
At the close of the service a collec
lyo for hn Of
sisting needy members of the church,
and committee appointed for its dis.
tribution, consisting of Mrs. s. w.
Meek, Mrs. P. B. Conant, and Mrs.
Martin Loomis. S26 90 was placed in
the hands of the committee, as the
result of the collection.
The 8. 8. annual election of officers
took place at the opening of its session.
With one exception, the old officers
were re elected, as follows: Supt., II.
B. Coe; Asst, G.. A. Reed; Sec. and
Treas, Lynn Skeels; Chorister, P. B.
conant: Organist, Edith Cos; Libra
rian, Ed. Conant.
Primary Department-supt., Mrs.
A. M Hinman Asst, Miss Ida Hitch
cock; Organist, Miss Hattie Cooley;
Librarian, Lawrence Bowman.
After the election of officers the pri-
mary school gave an interesting exhi>
bition of their training, in vocal mu-
sic, recitatiens, &C., which was follow
ed by review of the lessons for the
quarter, by the Pastor.
On Monday evening the committee
on finance and Treasurer for the en-
suing year were chosen. as follows :
Financial Com C. A. Reed, William
Grinneli, b. B. Loughead, c. A. New
ton Treas, Herman Dickinson-eaeh
gentleman being his own successor in
official position.
For the first time in the history OF
the church, the financial committee
were enabled to report sufficient funds
to meet all expenses the past year, and
a surplus still in the treasury. 1t is a
cause of mutual congratulation on the
part of the Pastor and mem bership,
that the church enters upon the new
year with such promising indications
of accomplishing acceptable service
in the cause and name of the Master,
possessing as it does the essentials OF
vital Importance, material and spirit
ual health and strength. to be given
to the service of the Oneswhose mis-.
sion and earthly presence was the EN-
bodiment of all wisdom and knOwl.
edge in perfecting the life aud exam.
pie which, in our following, through
its teachings and influence, wholly
fits us for the duties and enjoyments
of mortal and immortal provision anC
experience.
The Methodist Episcopal Bible
School held delightful service Sun
day evening. The exercises consist
ed of songs, recitations. essays, shor